Dave Willis (2015)

David "Dave" Willis is an American voice actor, writer, and producer employed by Adult Swim. Willis is best known for his work on Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Squidbillies, and Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell all under the production of Williams Street.

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DivideAndConker

Dave Willis

Any plans to make a spin off but in the form of a porno?

SkipioZor

I was hoping the porn industry would do that for us. With a Teen Force of legal age.

Dave Willis

First episode I ever caught was Ol' Drippy when it premiered, I've been a fan ever since, thanks for the depravity. This username has gotten a lot of use in my day. You've had a lot of guest talent on the show, who is someone you never got a chance to have on the show but wanted to? Were specific characters written for specific actors? I assume Happy Time Harry was written for David Cross, obviously.

ATHFMeatwad

David Cross was INCREDIBLE for doing the show before anyone knew what it was. The weird guy in Circus was written for Tom Waits. I mailed him a check for $5 which has made my checking account balance off since 2001. We did reach out to Steve Martin to do the movie. That would have been something. And we asked Geddy Lee to play himself in Spirit Journey Formation Anniversary, but we were were told he was too busy recording his solo album, in his elfin wood studio north of Narnia.

Dave Willis

Hey Dave, I've been a huge fan since the start. What was your inspiration for Carl? I feel like his character is in some way taken from someone you know and I've always wondered

Soliquidus

My dad's buddies from Long Island. My uncle Skip. My college roommate from Toms River, Dolla Bill $orrentino. And Space Ghost briefly had a neighbor in his condo complex, Dominic. Never made the show, but those were the kernels.

Dave Willis

Jeffy the garden hose? During the 57th episode ATHF talks about "Going to Jeffy's House" for 2 minutes and he's mentioned in the 53rd episode when they land on his house but will we ever see him?

bezerker08

Are you available to write the unauthorized history?

Dave Willis

What is your favorite season of the show? And we're feelings hurt about no syndication or whatever after the 100th episode? I know the episode was one big satirical joke, but there seemed to be a hint of bitterness.

This is one of my favorite shows of all time, and I e followed it since the beginning. (Before I was introduced to weed!) I think it's funny and well thought out. Thank you for the series. My favorite season is the one with Boost Mobile, Hand Banana, and Dickisode. It created a lot of fun memories with my friends. Again, thank you.

ItsDanimal

It is one of my favorite shows of all time, too.
Fave season? Hard to say. But I think the last few have been every bit as strong as the early ones. And I really like the new ones coming out.

Dave Willis

I grew up watching Aqua Teen Hunger Force, I remember being 13/14 watching it and getting the laughs of my life from it.

My question is, since this isn't the first "last" season of Aqua Teen, is this really it? Will there be no more Aqua Teen Hunger Force, even spin-offs/movies?

voidboy

Never say never. But it wasn't my call. Or Matt's.

Dave Willis

Thanks for making one of my favorite animated series! Will we see the return of MC Pee pants in the final season?

drewsauce

Dave Willis

Who was your favorite guest appearance? Danzig has to be up there.

E_W_Warrens

Danzig is a good one. He kept wanting to add muscles to his design, until our animator balked, insisting that it looked too ridiculous.
I liked Ozzy's guitarist, too. He was drinking Heinekens at 9:30 in the morning.

Dave Willis

Hey Dave, massive fan here, thank you giving us one of the funniest television shows of all time.

My questions is- what happened to Meatwad's voice after the third or fourth season? It used to be more high pitched and then it kind of sunk into a lower tone. Was there a switch in voice actors?

JustChippinAround

No, there was a dip in Quality Control. Also, a horse stepped on my neck.

Dave Willis

Will we ever meet Jeffy?

bezerker08

Who?!?!?

Dave Willis

How did Andrew WK get involved with the show?

super_hernandez

Nick Weidenfeld was friends with him. And he seemed like the last guy you would want to hear when you got diagnosed with cancer.

Dave Willis

Okay, for real. Where do YOU think Master Shake sleeps? Is it in the chair? 'cause I think it's in the chair....

Politicalmusser

He sleeps in the chair because we forgot to give him a room. True story!

Dave Willis

Are there any plans to reunite Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday?

DownAndUnderIt

He's in this new season!

Dave Willis

what are the chances of a feature length movie based on Ignignot, my favorite cartoon character?

mindscrambler26

Dimmer than the dark side of the lunar empire (said in the voice)

Dave Willis

whats your favorite punishment/mishap to happen to carl? I loved when he was forced to play the recorder and dance in s5 e6

lrn2swim

Oddly, my least favorite! I liked when he was ripped to shreds inside a nuclear toilet and replaced with eyeballs.

Dave Willis

what's the chances of a hand banana / carl reunion?

WeRollLikeMadmen

Very good, but you must watch every episode to unlock the mystery. Will they or won't they?

Dave Willis

Hi, Dave. This has always bugged me. Was the character Zucotti Manicotti a reference to Zuccotti Park of Occupy Wall Street fame, which was in the news at the time the show was being aired? And, if not, what was the origin of the character's name?

twohatcat

Yes, it is based on that, but not for any underlying political reasons. It just seemed like a silly word. What an incredible story!

Dave Willis

Did you plan for such a long run from just the baffler meal gang?

What do you like to watch on TV?

FlyLikeRabbi

Silicon Valley and Veep are prob my two faves right now. I have not seen a frame of GoT, but I did sit across from George RR Martin on a flight once. For those of you desperate for the new book - he napped and flipped through a Sky magazine THE ENTIRE FLIGHT

Dave Willis

Is there any cartoon that you absolutely hate?

RacksDiciprine

Yes!

Dave Willis

How awesome is Dana Snyder?

MysterBlu

Very.
I will work with him forever - as long as he has a tongue and lips.

Dave Willis

Why was Aqua Teen cancelled? It seemed like it was doing so well

JerryStokes

That's what I was saying!

Dave Willis

What made you guys decide to end the series? Did you not want to end up like The Simpsons?

couldfillabook

We didn't end it, it was the decision of Mike Lazzo and adult swim. He was ready to move on from it. It bums me out, and I still think the show is great - but it's not my decision. If I owned the show, I would still make it and project it on the side of my toolshed in my backyard. Our small group of guys love making the show. We're all very invested in it, and we're proud of what we've accomplished. And the show does well, so there's that. As for the Simpsons, I don't watch it much anymore. But if changing the face of television and inspiring a generation of comedy writers were something we could do, I would love to "end up" that way.

Dave Willis

Aqua Teen was the first show I ever saw on Adult Swim and is my favorite to this day.

Was Adult Swim always interested in your show? Or did you have to push it quite a bit to get them to put it on the air?

steamboatjilly

There was intense boredom when we pitched the show. And even less enthusiasm after we turned in episode one. But in fairness, they let us make the show we wanted to make and let us figure it out along the way. In the end, they paid for it.

Dave Willis

If this gets over 1000 upvotes, can my likeness get a guest role in an upcoming episode?

Blacky_McBlackerson

Sure, go for it Don't let anyone tell you what you can or can't do.
But no, it's not going to happen.

Dave Willis

What are your plans for after ATHF?

BrosefChillaxstone

Still doing more Squidbillies early next year, and new Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell coming out on July 12!

Dave Willis

Will we be seeing more of Willie Nelson?

recovering_spaz

Yes! Briefly! Is this Tom Scharpling?

Dave Willis

Hey there!

Dumber Dolls is my favorite episode of all time, been watching since the very beginning of the show from episode one and I've loved every minute of it. Which episode is your favorite to watch? Which was your favorite to create?

FirstTalis

The first Mooninites episode was where we started to figure out how to make the show. That one always seems like a marvel to me. Before that one, we didn't know what we were doing. My favorite to watch? All of them. I just get a big tub of ice cream and pop in the DVDs every night. And masturbate vigorously. To how I spent my thirties.

Dave Willis

Are you currently work on any pilots for Adult Swim?

You and I are both Atlanta Braves fans. Are you satisfied with their performance this year given all the trades?

cessik

Just Squids and YPF right now. Braves: Beyond Satisfied. No prima donnas on this team, much more excitement. That said, they haven't played a tough schedule thus far. My brian understands the Gattis and Kimbrell trades, but my heart still feels betrayed. El Oso Blanco! And whoops, this pen is not so good.

Dave Willis

Who inspired "My dad owns a dealership"? Was his name Chad?

Adoo87

Ha! The roommate of a friend of mine in college told any woman within earshot that his dad owned a candle factory, as if that were the ultimate aphrodisiac. I did a google search for him, and the 1st image was of him getting blown on top of a lambroghini. The second was of him hosting his celebrity golf tournament. So now I tell people my dad owns a candle factory.

Dave Willis

Did you get bitched at when the "Boston" episode leaked?

JerryStokes

No - it wasn't my fault, and whoever leaked it is a dick. Whatever that was, it was half-done, if that. We had a GREAT script - and we were going to complete it for this run of 10 eps - but then weren't allowed to finish it. And then this leaked. I was hoping we could always have one completed episode that no one was ever going to get to see, and then 40 years from now, Betty White's emaciated titanium exoskeleton could open the Williams Street vaults to view the lost episode on TV Land. It would have been fitting. But the internet won't let you have nice things.

Dave Willis

Dave, my wife and I are huge fans. We met you a couple years ago at ATHF LIVE in Houston, Texas. I just wanted to say thanks for staying after the show and hanging out with us and signing a few things. The first time my wife and I hung out I showed her the 3rd season of aqua teen and she loved it, at that moment I knew she was my soulmate. Here we are over 10 years later happily waiting to see the final season. Just wanted to say thanks for everything, you are the best.

As for my question, If you cant get the 3.4 million you need to make the 2nd ATHF movie, would you consider going to kickstarter?

rushpunk

Yes. Kickstarter. Definitely.
And it warms my heart that you're still together. I remember both of you, and I thought you would have maybe two years together, tops. She's good looking, and you are not. Tell her I said that.

Dave Willis

How stoned are ya'll when you write Aqua Teen episodes? I've always operated under the assumption that the answer to that is "very". Huge fan, this is a serious question :P

Hands

I wish this were a serious question.

Dave Willis

Do you do anything special annually on January 31st so as to never forget 1-31-07?

yhwhx

I wake up to an email from my Boston friend Carl Adams. He never forgets, so I don't have to.

Dave Willis

Yo, Miracle Whip or Mayo?

kingfapp

Hellman's, bitches!

Dave Willis

What influences your work the most?

What inspired the show?

two_off

Influences? At this point, other writer/producers at adult swim. I got to watch Too Many Cooks explode from the ground floor. Maiellaro, Fortier, Chris Kelly and Harrigan are some of the funniest people on the planet. And I'm not saying this because they will read this tomorrow. But they will.
What inspired the show? Boredom with Space Ghost.

Dave Willis

Did you get to work with MF Doom on The Mouse and the Mask? If so, how did that come about and what was it like working with him?

FuegsterMcCallister

I don't know how that happened, but I'm glad I got to be a part of it. I never actually worked with him on that. He used to come into Williams Street, drink a half-gallon of Patron and knock out some voiceover. Never slurred once. Then again, that might have switched the mask with someone sober, post-tequilla. I may never know who read those lines.

Dave Willis

How did you feel about the Sears Tower being renamed after you?

CassandraVindicated

Honored. Deeply honored. I cherish the good people of Chicago, and I will rule them with great humility, but also with massive wisdom and super-bitchin' strength. Tithe to me your first-born, central Illinois, so that I might prepare my armies of the night!

Dave Willis

Is the series Finale real or is it that bullshit where you change the name every season?

TimDuncanTheAlmighty

REAL. We only changed the name to get people to write about the show. Unsuccessfully, I might add.

Dave Willis

Favorite David Bowie song?

PM_ME_YOUR_PM_PHOTOS

Five Years

Dave Willis

What are your plans after ATHF?

imareallycooldude

Making more stuff. I still have Squidbillies rolling with Jim Fortier. And Casper Kelly and I are releasing new eps of Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell in mid-July.

Dave Willis

Have you worked with Brendon Small before? Would you like to see Dethklok show up in an episode of Aqua Teen Hunger Force?

AntiRivet

Brendon is great, he's been on Squids a few times. But, speaking for Brendon here, if Dethklok and Aqua Teen do a crossover episode, murder us both in a grisly public beheading.

Dave Willis

What's gonna happen to Carey Means?

SarahChameleon

He's a great voice talent. I'm sure we'll use him again in something.

Dave Willis

Are you happy it's over?

Have any regrets?

Would you do anything differently?

12oz mouse?

DVNO_

Bittersweet, definitely. I'll always be proud of it. It changed my life. It was exciting to see our work take off with people, before hating became the way of the internet. Looking at you, chuckleCuck!
12 oz mouse? Sure. Matt killed my character, Rhoda, violently with a sword. Snakes emerged from my corpse. But if he can resurrect Rhoda, I am down.

Dave Willis

Dave - Will you come to the Videodrome 16th Anniversary Party tonight (Tuesday 7-after midnite at least) at The Highland Ballroom?

Petticoat5

if you're buying.

Still doubtful though.

Dave Willis

How did you get involved with Scott Van Pelt and getting Carl to do football picks every week?

cincodelavan

He kept saying "Number One in the Hood, G" on SportsCenter, so I sent him a truckload of crap, and we've been friendly ever since.

Dave Willis

What advice would you give to an aspiring TV writer trying to find representation?

athornton436

Dave Willis

Are some of the fan favorites going to be returning for the final season? I feel like MC Pee Pants/Little Brittle/Sir Loin's story needs a grand send off and I always want more of Oglethorpe and Emory.

mattxl

The Plutonians will return.

Dave Willis

Dave, who's that guy sitting behind you? He seems pretty great.

Sirey13

There's no one behind me!
Are you saying that this edit suite is haunted?!

Dave Willis

What's yer favorite bar in Atlanta?

mynameisearlycuyler

Manuel's because it's close. Yacht Club because I lived there, briefly in my twenties. I really like the Imperial down in Decatur. $2 draft!

Dave Willis

Will there ever be a RADON sequel? Big fan since Baffler Meal, thanks for all the hard work!